Square spotlight source



Feb. 10, 1925.

1,525,552 c F. JENKINS v SQUARE SPOTLIGHT SOURCE Filed April 21, 1923 RJQJQQ EEEE Patented Feb. 10, 1925 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES FRANCIS JENKINS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO RADIO PICTURES CORPORATION, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A

' CORPORATION.

SQUARE SPOTLIGHT SOURCE.

Application flied April 21, um. Serial 110. 638,651.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES FRANCIS In all efforts heretofore made, so .far as' applicant is aware, a point source of light has been employed. The result is that when this point source is imaged on a photographic plate, the density of exposure of this spot is greatest in the center and tapers off to nothing in a circular edge.

When, therefore, this spot having a dense center and a thin edge is swept across the 2 photographic plate, obviously the line has rtsgreatest exposure in the center, thinning off to nothing at the ed es. By proper adjustment the edges of t e several lines can be overlapped onto the edges of adjacent lines to such an extent as to make the exposed area of approximately uniform density, so that a paper print from such a negative does not show lines.

It will also be understood that where the source of light is dimmed to such an extent that it does not expose the plate as the image of the spot sweeps over the plate, areas without any exposure at all result,

and from these areas paper prints also are .40 free of lines.

However, in the areas which lie between, that is, in the half-tones, the intensity of the light source is reduced, for example, to onehalf 'its maximum intensity. Therefore, the area of the spot on the plate is but one-half the diameter, and thus the mar ins of lines made by the travel of this sma er spot over the plate do not touch and for that reason the half-tones of the photograph show lines V6 distinctly.

he object of this invention is the employment of a light. source, theimage of which on the photographic plate will be uniing the same maximum center to minimum form over its whole area, the source being preferably approximately rectangular. Such a spot when decreased in light intensity will decrease in intensity uniformly I over its whole area, and through the whole range of intensities employed, maximum to minimum.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is intended to illustrate a circular s 0t of light and its effect on the photograp 1ic plate; Fig. 2 similarly is intended to represent the effect of a square source of light of uniform intensity; and Fig. 3 and ig. 4 are schematic drawings of a straight filament and an aperture source oflight.

In the drawings AA are circular spots of light of maximum intensity at the center, tapering to zero intensity at the margin; A to A the efi'ect of two such spots sweeping over a photographic plate; BB are similar spots of half the intensity, but havmargin variation in intensity; B to B the line effect which two such spots produce when swept overa photographic plate.

CC are illustrative of two square spots of uniform intensit over the whole area of each spot, and to C the effect of their movement over a photographic plate. DD are like spots of half the intensity, but similarly uniform in intensity over the whole of. their areas, and similarly D to D illustrate the effect of these' spots moving over a-photographic plate, namely, a band similar to the first but of less density, but uniform from edge to'edge.

In Fig. 3 E is a hydrogen filled lamp, F a filament therein, G a lens for ima ing the filament onthe photographic plate In Fig. 4 E is an incandescent opalescent globe lamp, with an apertiired mask I between the lamp and the lens G, and which latter im s the glow of the opalescent bulb behin the aperture on to the photo raphic plate H, the size of the square spot ing limited by the a rture.

The illustrations in ig. 1 are intended to show that while circular spots of uneven intensity from center to margin, properly overlapped, will give an approximately solid area when mo across a photographic plate; the seine light source of half 105 the intensity will contract to approximately 4 movement of such a spot over the photographic negative'p-late will produce uniform.

graphic quality.

half the area, therefore, moving over a photo aphic; p arte draw lines of less density, ut lines nevertheless.

The intention of the drawing Fig. 2 is I to show howv a square light source, of uni form intensity over its whole "area will, when sweeping over a plate, give a uniform density of exposure from margin to margin; and that the'same light source when dimmedto half its intensity will not "make lines,- but will give a solid area of expcsurecn. the photographic plate, and that this persists for all intensities of the light source,"

i. e., from maximum to minimum.

Obviously, the lines resulting from the exposure from edge to edge, so that adja.

cent contacting lines build up areas-of uni. form density, no matter whether itfrepre-- sents high lights, half-tones or That is, there are no lines in any the picture, the whole being of true photo Anieone of a number of light sources mayemployed which fulfil this condition; for example, a square aperture illuminatedon the opposite side from. the negative by a light source at such a distance as to give sq uniform illumination over this which latter might be covered with. a mat,

- difi'using surface,

Another light source which givesthe same result, and which applicant has employed with successful results, consists of; a straight tungsten filament located more or less endon toward-the lens which images it onthe photographic plate.

Means for causing modulation in the intensity in either of these light sources is the subject of a separate application, and I not being a part of this invention is not believed necessary to describe herein.

What I claim, therefore, as my inven-" tion, and which I wish to'secu're by- LettersYM A Patent of the United States, is-

1. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a light receiving surface, a light source from which-light emerges of approxiinatel square area and uniforiii intensity over its whole area, and means for imaging said source on thelight receiving" 2. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a photographic plate, a light source, from which light emerges of approximately square area and uniform intensity over its whole area, and means for imaging said source on the photographig' plate. c I

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a photographicplate, alight source consisting of an approximately straight filament so located that the general direction of the length of the filament is pointed toward the photographic plate,

and means for'imaging the filament. on the light source, and means for imaging the -light source on the photo aphic surface in such a manner that the image is'square and the intensity of the light image shall be approximately uniform over its whole area. 5

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

CHARLES FRANCIS JENKINS. 

